Page 76 of Hesi-Dating
A giggle escaped me. Women swooned over the sheriff doing an infomercial for the department. He highlighted all the new innovations implemented in the past few years. I zoned out and enjoyed him as a magnetic speaker.
Someone slid onto the bench next to me. I jumped when he grabbed my arm.
"Come with me, Joley," Nosh ordered. He wore sunglasses and a baseball cap. Dressed down in jeans and a dark T-shirt with a jacket, he looked almost normal. The fingers wrapped around my forearm reminded me that wasn't the case. "Now."
Panic stole the breath from my chest. Ice slid over me.
"I can't. I'm at work." I tried to shake off his arm, not that it worked. I flashed Junior a reassuring smile and patted the seat for him to sit down.
I glanced toward the stage. Seth couldn't see me in this crowd, not in the back. There were other officers down near the front but none nearby. Nosh showing up here was ballsy. Unless he somehow orchestrated to have all officers away from us.
"The kid comes too. We need to talk."
My mind worked overtime to crank out options. Dizziness put stars in my peripheral vision. Was it better to leave Junior here while I went to see what Nosh wanted or to take him with me? The responsible side of me refused to leave a four-year-old unattended. My gut said leaving the crowd with Nosh was a bad idea.
"What do you want?" I whispered to him. "Is this about the sheriff or something else? I swear I didn't even know he'd be talking today."
"Stop talking."
"I haven't been near him since you threatened me. Junior wanted to see him talk."
"Don't make me get mean with you, Joley baby. Come with me away from this crowd to talk for a few minutes."
"Talk about what?"
"I have people watching Bruno and Marino. If you try to rush an officer to get help, then you'll force my hand. Come with me. I simply want to have a discussion for a few minutes."
I pulled out my phone, intent on texting Bruno and Marino.
"Don't." Nosh scowled. "Warn them…text them…and my people will move on them."
I rose, defeated and checkmated.
I took Junior's hand. His palm was sweaty against mine. "Who's the mean man, Jo?"
I said to Junior, "Maybe you should stay and see Uncle Seth's talk? Find him afterward?"
"I'm staying with you." He gripped my hand so tight that my middle fingers hurt.
"The kid comes with us." Nosh directed us to a deserted area behind the gardens. He spun me around but didn't let go. "How could you choose him over me?"
His gun was out now but not yet pointed at me. Why did he think I was a threat to him?
"Stay behind me." I pulled Junior behind my back. "Nosh." I smoothed my voice, hiding my mounting terror. "What do you want?"
His grin was wild and irrational. "You knew being here, listening to that asshole speak would drive me crazy. Why do you push me? And over that pig? Did you think I wouldn't know?" Dark laughter tinged his voice. "I always know where my girl is."
My mind spun as I calculated escape routes, possible weapons, Nosh's weak points, and how to get Junior to freedom. "I didn't know he was talking today. We came to the park to see the train museum."
Talking came from inside the gardens behind us. Nosh's attention turned to it.
I took a step back, gaining freedom from Nosh's grip even if the gun was now pointed at my stomach.Stay behind me, Junior.
"Who comes to Balboa Park for the train museum?"
"Little kids. Me. It's fun."
"I warned you, but you couldn't listen. You're mine. Not his."
